Sharjah Investment Forum 2025 Welcomes Leaders from 142 Countries to Shape the Future of Sustainable Development
The 8th edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2025) opens its doors to an unprecedented gathering of participants from 142 countries, uniting leading ministers, senior government officials, and heads of international institutions for a pivotal discussion on the global economic landscape. This year, SIF joins forces with the World Investment Conference (WIC) under a unified agenda, setting a comprehensive platform to explore global economic transformations, sustainable investment strategies, career development pathways, and innovative partnership models.
Scheduled for 22nd and 23rd October, the forum convenes over 130 distinguished speakers, bringing together a remarkable roster of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, media figures, and sports icons. These voices will deliver exclusive insights on leveraging experience to drive innovation and advance the UAE’s—and the wider Arab region’s—sustainable investment landscape.
High-Level Dialogue on Resilience and Growth
A centerpiece of the forum is a session moderated by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, focusing on economic resilience strategies amid geopolitical tensions, financial fluctuations, and climate disruptions. Top-level opening and plenary sessions will see the participation of Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment, and Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. They are set to present a unified national vision for economic diversification, spelling out strategies for scaling sustainable investment and aligning financial flows with the UAE’s climate neutrality and green economy goals.
Internationally, the line-up features Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan; Miguel Medina, Minister of Investment Promotion of Honduras; and Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, Minister of Investment of Pakistan. Their involvement underscores broad ministerial engagement in shaping investment-friendly policy and cross-border growth opportunities.
Sessions Fuel Policy Coordination and Regional Integration
In-depth discussions on regional integration and policy coordination will welcome high-ranking officials including:
- Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade
- Mohammad AbdulRahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment
- Osama Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of the Industrial Accelerators sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
- Zaher Al Qatarneh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Investment of Jordan
Additionally, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman, World Free Zones Organisation;
Dr. James Zhan, Chairman of the WIC Executive Board, WAIPA;
Dr. Matthew Stephenson, Head of Investment and Services at the World Economic Forum;
Professor Raekwon Chung, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and board member of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation;
Gunther Beger, Managing Director, Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, UNIDO;
Creon Butler, Senior Director, Chatham House (UK);
Wolfgang Engel, General Manager and Chief, Institute of International Finance;
Ebba Lund, CEO, International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation;
Walid Farghal, Director-General, AIM Congress; and
Ismail Erhasin, CEO and Executive Director, WAIPA
will share their expertise on driving sustainable growth and SDG innovation.
Business, Media, and Sports Icons Inspire
Adding further distinction, the forum invites Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar Properties and Noon.com and Chairman of Eagle Hills, who will discuss the evolution of investment in smart cities and the experience economy. Shaker Zainal, Deputy CEO and Chief Business Officer, Emirates Development Bank, highlights the role of development finance institutions. Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of Emirates Growth Fund, addresses the innovations in sustainable financing for economic growth, while Jigar Sagar, Founder of Triliv Holding, explores the movement of private capital towards green economies and forward-looking technologies.
The event’s dynamic agenda features prominent personalities from media and sports, such as Kris Fade, an internationally recognized radio host and entrepreneur, who moderates a session with Mohamed Alabbar. Edgar Davids, renowned Dutch former professional footballer, draws parallels between leadership and teamwork in sports and business. Former world champion Amir Khan reflects on building global sporting success into inspiration for youth and entrepreneurship. Patrice Evra, former Manchester United captain and social entrepreneur, shares how his passion for mental health and social equality motivates his business ventures.
From the international media, Chris Knight, Managing Director of Financial Times Locations, will examine global financial media trends and their influence on channeling investment into emerging markets.
Sharjah’s Visionary Institutional Leadership
At the heart of SIF 2025 is the unwavering commitment of Sharjah’s institutional leadership. Key contributors include Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of “Invest in Sharjah”; and Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), each helping to shape Sharjah’s ongoing role as a beacon for investment, innovation, and sustainable prosperity.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
